In the first of Ron Howard's and Tom Hanks' collaborations, Hanks stars as Allen Bauer, an unlucky in love man who travels to Cape Cod, where he meets a beautiful woman, who has a secret, she is a mermaid.
In perhaps a forgotten gem of the 80's, Howard delivers a heart warming tale about one man and his unlucky in love life, and how the extraordinary can bring out the hearts desires in a truly good funny and ultimately tale.
Hardly his best role, Hanks still delivers in a cliché hero role as Allen, someone all men can relate to. A man who needs to get over his own personal fear in his pursuit for happiness.
Daryl Hannah (Kill Bill) is excellent in the role of Madison the mermaid. The way Hannah portrays her makes you wonder how a real person would feel coming into an unknown environment and having to learn someone else's language. She is a joy to watch and the onscreen relationship with Hanks is perfect, exactly what was needed to produce the wonderful outcome.
Who says romantic comedies are soft mushy stuff? There is plenty of action and suspense in this 1984 comedy to keep everyone entertained.
This is a true family classic, an old fashioned soft tale that is consistently entertaining and funny, something which is rare in modern day cinema.
Eugene Levy (SCTV Network 90) is the funniest in the entire film with a daft character who is simply loveable despite being the villain of the picture.
The whole concept of scientific experiments and animal cruelty is an intriguing side story, and makes you think what would happen today if an unknown creature was found.
Though consistent and funny, it is so by following plenty of conventions, which can give an essence of predictability, but nonetheless it is a heart warming entertaining tale.
8/10